Psalms 27:1-14
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, camea upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beautyb of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy;c I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plaind path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
The real significance of this psalm is that of the experience of worship. It is somewhat strange that the remarkable contrast between the first (vv. Psa 27:1-6) and second (vv. Psa 27:7-14) parts has given rise to the view that two men have written the psalm, or if one person is the author, he must have written them at different times. The psalm reveals the true attitude and exercise of the worshipping soul. Praise and prayer follow each other in their true order. First the offering of praise due to the consciousness of Jehovah. The pouring out of the heart's need to the One worshipped.
The conception of God revealed in the first half makes possible the abandon of the petitions in the second half. The God Who is light, and salvation and strength, Who hides in His pavilion, and lifts the soul on to the rock is the very One Whose face a man, forsaken of father and mother, pursued by adversaries, and slandered by enemies, will most easily appeal to. This is the meaning of the injunction of the final verse. When hosanna languish on our tongues it is because we do not begin with Jehovah. To see Him first in the hour of communion, and to praise Him, is to be able without reserve to pour out all the story of our sorrow in His ear, and to know that when the soul beseeches Him not to cast off, it may affirm in confidence, “Jehovah will take me up.”